On 14th December, 2005 representatives of SWEDBAG, led by Oliver Letwin MP and Jim Knight MP presented the issues resulting from the SWEDBAG survey.
The BBC had analysed the results which, in one case, showed that 21.5% of viewers had problems with analogue TV reception. They produced a map showing, they claimed, that the majority of these should get a good signal, and they think the main reason they are having problems is that their aerial is pointing at the wrong transmitter! HAVE YOU CHECKED YOURS WITH AN EXPERT AERIAL INSTALLER??
Ofcom confirmed that the plan for digital TV coverage is to ensure that all those who receive analogue signals today - should receive digital after switchover. THIS MEANS THAT ALL LOCAL RELAY TRANSMITTERS WILL ALSO BE UPGRADED TO DIGITAL AT THE SAME TIME AS THE CORRESPONDING MAIN TRANSMITTER IS COVERTED!!
As a follow up, the full SWEDBAG Executive Committee will be meeting the CONTROLLER OF BBC ENGLISH REGIONS on 20th January, 2006 to discuss all the issues in more detail. The main sticking point appears to be getting local news and events coverage on Freeserve.
Watch this space for more developments!